Split sprocket housing for a conveyor system and related method

Abstract

A split housing for a sprocket in a conveyor system is disclosed. The sprocket includes a first, preferably upper portion that mates with a second, preferably lower portion to define a curved guide track for guiding a conveyor belt from a forward to a return run, or vice versa. The split nature of the housing allows for the removal of one portion, such as the upper portion, in a vertical direction without the need for moving the adjacent sprocket or guide rail. Hence, the other portion may remain attached to a stable structure used to support the conveyor system.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for at least partially covering a sprocket and assisting in guiding a conveyor belt making a transition from a guide rail over the sprocket or vice versa, comprising: 
       a housing split into mating first and second portions, said housing at least partially covering the sprocket and including a first guide track for guiding the belt along the transition;  
       wherein at least one of said first or second portions may be moved in a vertical direction without moving the sprocket in the housing or the guide rail.  
     
     
       2. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the housing is an upper portion and the second portion of the housing is a lower portion. 
     
     
       3. The guide apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing includes a pair of generally aligned openings for receiving a shaft for supporting the sprocket. 
     
     
       4. The guide apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the lower portion of the housing includes at least one reservoir for holding a lubricant for lubricating the shaft. 
     
     
       5. The guide apparatus according to  claim 4 , further including a wick for placement in the reservoir to wick the lubricant from the reservoir to adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
       6. The guide apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the lower portion of the housing includes a receiver for receiving a stable support structure, whereby the upper portion of the housing may be removed while the lower portion remains fully supported by the stable support structure. 
     
     
       7. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said first guide track includes an opening through which at least a portion of the sprocket passes to engage the belt. 
     
     
       8. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the housing includes said first guide track and the second portion of the housing includes a second guide track for aligning with said first guide track to define a substantially continuous guide surface. 
     
     
       9. The guide apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said second guide track includes a second opening through which at least a portion of the sprocket passes to engage the belt. 
     
     
       10. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one of the first or second portions of the housing includes at least one boss that engages a corresponding emboss on the opposite portion, wherein the boss and emboss assist in achieving proper alignment of said first and second portions. 
     
     
       11. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are held together by at least one fastener extending through an aperture in said first portion into a bore in said second portion. 
     
     
       12. The guide apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first guide track includes first and second lips for engaging the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       13. The guide apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the lips of the guide track project outwardly in an opposed fashion. 
     
     
       14. A conveyor system, comprising: 
       at least one endless conveyor belt;  
       at least one driver including a split sprocket for driving the belt;  
       a first shaft for supporting the sprocket;  
       at least one guide rail for guiding a forward and a return run of the belt;  
       at least one housing for at least partially covering said sprocket, said housing being split into separable first and second portions and including a pair of openings for receiving the support shaft;  
       Wherein at least one of the portions of said housing may be moved in a vertical direction with out the sprocket, the shaft, or the guide rail.  
     
     
       15. The conveyor system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the housing is an upper portion and the second portion of the housing is a lower portion. 
     
     
       16. The conveyor system according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower portion includes a receiver for receiving a stable support structure, whereby the upper portion of the housing may be removed while the lower portion remains supported by the stable support structure. 
     
     
       17. The conveyor system according to  claim 14 , wherein the guide rail is in the shape of an I-beam and includes upper and lower guide tracks for guiding the belt along the respective forward and return runs. 
     
     
       18. The conveyor system according to  claim 17 , wherein the upper guide track of the guide rail is aligned with a first guide track of the housing. 
     
     
       19. The conveyor system according to  claim 18 , wherein the second portion of the housing includes a second guide track, wherein the upper guide track of the guide rail is aligned with the first guide track of the housing and the lower guide track of the guide rail is aligned with the second guide track of the second portion of the housing. 
     
     
       20. The conveyor system according to  claim 14 , wherein the modular link conveyor belt includes a plurality of interconnected links, each said link having a pair of depending arms, each said arm carrying an inwardly projecting guide tab, wherein a first guide track associated with the housing includes first and second lips for engaging the guide tabs of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       21. The conveyor system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second portions of the housing in the mated position together define the openings for receiving the shaft for supporting the sprocket. 
     
     
       22. The conveyor system according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the housing is a lower portion and includes at least one reservoir for holding a lubricant for lubricating the shaft. 
     
     
       23. The conveyor system according to  claim 22 , further including a wick for placement in the reservoir to wick the lubricant to a location adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
       24. A method for accessing a sprocket for assisting a conveyor belt in making the transition from a forward to a return run along a guide rail in a conveyor system, comprising: 
       placing the sprocket in a split housing having mating first and second portions, the housing including a guide track having an opening through which the sprocket passes for engaging the belt;  
       removing one portion of the split housing in a vertical direction to provide access to the sprocket without moving the sprocket or the guide rail.  
     
     
       25. The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the first portion is an upper portion and the second portion is a lower portion, and the step of removing includes removing the upper portion. 
     
     
       26. The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the sprocket is a split sprocket comprised of at least two portions, and the method includes removing at least one portion of the split sprocket after removing the first portion of the split housing. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus for at least partially covering a sprocket and assisting in guiding a conveyor belt making a transition from a guide rail over the sprocket or vice versa, comprising: 
       a housing split into mating first and second portions, said housing at least partially covering the sprocket and including a first guide track having opposed lips for guiding the belt along the transition;  
       wherein at least one of said first or second portions may be moved in a vertical direction without moving the sprocket in the housing or the guide rail.  
     
     
       28. A conveyor system, comprising: 
       an endless conveyor belt;  
       a shaft;  
       a sprocket divided into two mating portions supported by the shaft;  
       a guide rail for guiding the belt; and  
       a housing for said split sprocket, said housing being split into separable first and second portions and including a first guide track for guiding the conveyor belt over the split sprocket.